51AV视频

The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20鈥�21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Welsh Government delays Sustainable Farming Scheme until 2026

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies confirmed that BPS would continue to be available in 2025

Rachael Brown
Chief Reporter
clock 鈥� 2 min read
Welsh Government delays Sustainable Farming Scheme until 2026

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies has delayed the start of the Sustainable Farming Scheme to 2026, confirming that the Basic Payment Scheme will be available to Welsh farmers in 2025.听

Welsh agriculture听

Mr Irranca-Davies had previously said the start date of January 2025 for SFS was 'realistic' and there would be 'no plans to pause', but said the 'change in timings' was a 'commitment to meaningful engagement with the farming sector'.

READ NOW: Young Welsh new entrant couple build successful meat box business

He said: "Since the first day of taking up this role I have been out and about meeting and listening to our farmers, hearing their views and taking on board what they have to say.

Welsh Government听

"My commitment to meaningful engagement with the farming sector,听Plaid Cymru colleagues under the Cooperation Agreement听and other stakeholders on the changes needed will necessitate a change in the implementation timetable.

READ NOW: Shoppers urged to boycott supermarkets in a show of support for World Farmers Day

"We have always said the Scheme would not be introduced until it is ready and I stand by that."

The Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the BPS would continue to be available in 2025, with the proposed SFS transition period starting from 2026, and with an 'announcement to follow on the BPS ceiling.'

READ NOW: Wales' First Minister Vaughan Gething: "I heard first-hand the difficulties my mother had to overcome in sustaining and growing a farming business"

The Welsh Government said the existing rural investment schemes including the small grant schemes will continue to support infrastructure changes, adding it was also working on 'a new landscape scale scheme',听which will build on the experience of previous collaboration schemes. 听

Sustainable Farming Scheme

Speaking at a press conference at Sealands 51AV视频in Bridgend, Mr Irranca-Davies听concluded by saying: "Together we can create a future where our farmers produce the very best of Welsh food to the highest standards, while safeguarding our precious environment.

"We are listening and will continue to listen.

"We must continue to work in partnership to finalise a scheme that works long-term.

"This is the next step in making that happen."

听

More on Politics

OPINION: SFI scramble leaves businesses facing income shortfalls and difficult decisions

OPINION: SFI scramble leaves businesses facing income shortfalls and difficult decisions

Deputy editor Alex Black reflects on the business impact for those missing out

Alex Black
clock 25 September 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Rural vote could swing General Election as new poll shows Reform UK surge

Rural vote could swing General Election as new poll shows Reform UK surge

The latest MRP YouGov survey reveals Andy Burnham's party could lose 79 of its 139 rural seats if a General Election were held immediately

Jane Thynne
clock 25 September 2026 鈥� 2 min read
From the editor: Fastest finger first is no way to fund farming

From the editor: Fastest finger first is no way to fund farming

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 24 September 2026 鈥� 2 min read